We’ve had numerous emails, calls, and questions regarding the coronavirus, so I wanted to address this hot topic from both a Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) view point…
According to the World Health Organization, “Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
Common signs of infection include:
- Respiratory symptoms
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.” [1]
As the Coronavirus makes its way across the world, it is important to keep the illness in perspective. All flu has the potential to be deadly, but when a person has a strong immune system and is otherwise healthy, we are able to fight these pathogens and build our immune system because of it. What distinguishes the coronavirus from other viruses, is that it is highly contagious and it has a long incubation period of around 14 days so people can be spreading it before they realize they are sick. [2]
TCM Perspective
Traditional Chinese herbal doctors in China are familiar with both treatment and prevention of viral infections, and the China Academy of Sciences has advised the general public to seek out Chinese herbal doctors, or to self-medicate with recommended Chinese herbal products. As the coronavirus spreads widely throughout China, millions of people are taking advantage of these government sponsored recommendations.
China had a successful experience with the use of Chinese herbs during the 2003 SARS epidemic (“Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome”), a flu with many similar clinical features to the coronavirus. At that time, a massive public health campaign educated people what herbal medications to use. In a study done in Hong Kong, Chinese herbs proved more efficacious than any of the Western approaches for the treatment of SARS. The Hong Kong health authorities created an herbal formula that was given to volunteer hospital healthcare workers, who were then monitored for sickness. All of the healthcare workers avoided hospitalization, and those that got sick had markedly reduced signs and symptoms.[3]
For acute presentation with fever, chills, headache, and sore throat, the Chinese herbal formula Yin Qiao San or Gan Mao Lingcan be used. When stronger pathogens, such as the coronavirus, are involved, more “clear toxic heat” herbs should be added in. These herbs have strong anti-viral properties. A Chinese herbal tincture that already has these herbs combined together is the formula “Clear Toxin”, created by Dr. Jake Fratkin. [4]
If you would like to have this on hand, it is available in the clinic. If the virus goes to the lungs and coughing occurs, then this formula needs to be combined with another herbal formula to address the cough.
Many people have voiced concern about the spreading of viruses at our clinic. For the safety of everyone, if you are feeling sick, please stay at home. We are happy to put herbal formulas in the mail box for a family member to pick up at their convenience. Please call the clinic if you would like us to do so.
Additionally, consuming foods that are rich in Vitamin C, zinc and Vitamin D are powerful allies during cold and flu season—their impact in viral concerns is well-documented. [5-8]
We offer the highest-quality, most bioavailable formats of these powerful nutrientsin supplement form at Harmonizing Healthcare.
Prevention
Prevention and keeping yourself healthy is key to protecting yourself against these viruses. There are many Chinese herbal immune tonics, such as Yu Ping Feng San, that can be used.
You must also clear toxins that are challenging the function of your immune system. There are highly toxic halides in our water supply, obesogens (fattening chemicals) being pumped into our diet through plastics and additives, and poisons like thallium and arsenic making their way into the air we breathe. These toxins make it difficult for us to have a healthy immune system despite a healthy diet.
Because of the increasing need of so many people to clear these toxins from their bodies, Dr. Sarica Cernohous, L.Ac. has started offering the True Cellular Detox (TCD) program in order to help support you. This is not a “cleanse” or “liver detox”. This program supports function and clearing at the cellular and system levels. Toxicants at the cellular level have been strongly correlated with hormonal imbalance, chronic inflammation, fatigue, insomnia, and of course, a weakened immune system. We are so blessed to have a practitioner with this expertise in our community, so PLEASE take advantage of it.
The True Cellular Detox (TCD) program is a process of 3 phases: Prep phase; Body phase; and Brain phase. Testing is done at the beginning and between each phase in order to know if you are ready to advance to the next phase of the program. When you enter into this program, it includes:
- Phase Instruction Sheets
- Meta-Oxy Testing Kits to reveal malondialdehyde in the urine, a marker for oxidative stress and cell membrane damage due to free radicals
- Access to the True Cellular Detox™ Education and Support Portal
- 90 Day Meal Plan & Smoothie recipes
- Emotional Detox Strategies
- Diet and Fitness Strategies
- FAQ Board and Online Support
- Group Forum Communication
Also, when you become part of this program, you will receive the supplements you need for the program at a 15% savings, helping to insure your success with the program. You will be supporting repair and healing of your body at the deepest level possible–the cellular level. This is a powerful and unique component to supporting your immune system and helping you experience a profound level of. [9]
[1] https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
[2] https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/coronavirus-faqs.aspx#1-3
[3] “Report A: A Herbal Formula for the Prevention of Transmission of SARS During the
SARS Epidemic in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region — A Prospective Cohort
Study”. Leung PC, Lau TF, Cheng KF and Lam CWK.
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2004/9241546433_reportA.pdf
[4] https://drjakefratkin.com/articles/health-and-disease-articles/treating-viral-infections-with-chinese-herbal-products/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10543583
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16959053
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28515951
[8} https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29853961
[9] https://drpompa.com/category/cellular-detox/